HOUSEHOLDERS and businesses are being urged to think about the effect pouring leftover cooking oils and fat away can have on Wales’ wildlife and natural environment.

Pouring fat, oil, grease and even leftover food down the sink can cause waste to congeal and block public sewers. The backed-up sewage can then spill into rivers and streams.

Environment Agency Wales director Chris Mills said: “While most people know that fats, oils and grease should not be poured down the sink there are still those that are unaware of the damage that it can cause.

“We urge people to help protect their local environment by disposing of fats, oils and grease in the correct way.

“Untreated sewage effluent in water causes oxygen levels to drop drastically, sewage fungus covers the bed of the watercourse like a blanket and in more severe cases the river can no longer support fish, insects and animals that live in and around the water.

“We’re working hard to return all water bodies in Wales to a near natural condition for the benefit of people and wildlife. We all have a role in preventing and tackling any pollution that prevents wildlife returning to some parts of our country.”

The Agency has joined forces with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water to encourage the correct disposal of fat, oil and grease.

People are being urged to help ‘fight the fat’ by:

wiping and scraping food waste from plates, pans and utensils before washing, and emptying it into a food caddy or the bin;

collecting used cooking fat, oil and grease in an appropriate container and disposing of it in the waste bin;

using strainers in sink plug holes and emptying the contents into a food caddy or waste bin.

Householders may also be able to take waste fat, oil and grease to their local civic amenity site, and should check with their local authority if they provide this facility.

The agency has produced guidance with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and the Consumer Council for Water on how to dispose of fat, oil and grease correctly, which is available on the agency’s and Dwr Cymru’s websites.